South China Sea: Beijing keen to make code of conduct gains for 30th anniversary of China-Asean ties
- In lead-up to summit between the Chinese president and top leaders from Asean countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hails a ‘meaningful milestone’
- Wang said China would continue to supply Asean countries with vaccines until the pandemic was overcome
In talks in Beijing on Sunday with top diplomats from the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the summit to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Beijing becoming an Asean “dialogue partner” would be a milestone.
“This summit will be a meaningful milestone and will set a direction and plan for the next 30 years of our relationship,” Wang said.
The summit is expected to take place virtually this month between Chinese President Xi Jinping and top leaders from Asean countries.
Wang was quoted in an official statement following the meeting saying China wished to use the opportunity with Asean countries to overcome pandemic challenges, aid economic recovery and growth and to defend economic globalisation as well as regional stability, integration and prosperity.
He said China also sought to “put multilateralism and opening up of the region into practice and make new steps towards building a closer community of shared future between China and Asean”.
